tips on pricing?

[sonsie]

Question: How do you all come to an asking price on your vintage items?

I always search online, but that's often a bust. If the maker has gone out of business, I'm pretty much out of luck. The likelihood of finding, for example, the exact pair of cufflinks that I have for sale is miniscule. It's difficult even finding a similar pair made by the same company.

My fear is that most of the items similar to what I'm selling will be, say, $20. BUT... with my luck, the specific one that I have will be rare for some reason and will be worth $1,200! But I won't know it and will sell it for the standard $20.

Whaddya do?

sonsie

 

[McPeppers]

Ah, well when pricing any item I plan on selling I usually take the item to an appraiser at a local auctioneer (look for ones with great reputations like Sotheby's) and have them appraise it. Thats usually a great way to get a good asking price. I'm lucky because one of Sotheby's appraisers lives right here in New Orleans so my trip to them doesnt involve any long distances lol.

Note: actually I did not know it till I searched but Sotheby's itself will appraise items for a fee...they also have tips on how to appraise items. Taking it to a local appraiser is still the best bet but if you have time. Sotheby's Appraisal Page

 

[sonsie]

*See previous response on other thread* LOL

Do they charge for that? I'm betting so. We don't have anyone like Sotheby's here (I don't think).

Also, would the price change if it's cleaned up? The reason I ask is that I have a lot of items and a little money. I don't want to pay for each individual item to be looked at, and was wondering if I need to get all of them spiffy first, or can bring them in as is. Or, I spose they may say "It's worth $20, but clean it up and you should ask for $25."

sonsie

 

[McPeppers]

Again, before doing any major things have them appraised and ask the same question. Most of the time it helps items but always take it to a professional first. Err on the side of caution with vintage...

As for Sotheby's yes they charge...it says so on their page. And I'm pretty sure with a little yellowpages search you could find an auction house near you. ^_- they are everywhere.

 

[sonsie]

Ok. Thank you very much!

Having been raised in a home with antiques and 2 antique-lovers/auction-goers for parents, I've always known not to mess with them too much. About the only thing I do is clean, and I research several sources before doing that.

It makes me sick to think of the items we let go when we were clearing out their house. Or things we sold in batches - like Dad's father's tools. There's a site that's selling plain old antique wood planes for $500 - $1,500. And that's just one small example. And Dad had a nice slide rule - on that same site some are going for $1,200. :cry:

Ah well.

sonsie

 

[McPeppers]

Best of luck selling off these items!

 

[ledsled]

Let go

Ok. Thank you very much!

Having been raised in a home with antiques and 2 antique-lovers/auction-goers for parents, I've always known not to mess with them too much. About the only thing I do is clean, and I research several sources before doing that.

It makes me sick to think of the items we let go when we were clearing out their house. Or things we sold in batches - like Dad's father's tools. There's a site that's selling plain old antique wood planes for $500 - $1,500. And that's just one small example. And Dad had a nice slide rule - on that same site some are going for $1,200. :cry:

Ah well.

sonsie

I know it hurts, Sonsie, especially if the loss is connected with someone you love (like a parent). While the hurt may never leave completely, try your best not to feed those thoughts when you have them. Distract yourself with something else when you find yourself thinking about it. Given enough time, they will lessen.

 

[ledsled]

And

I should have said that my intention is NOT to criticize, Sonsie. I just want to offer a helpful suggestion based on my own life experience.

 

[sonsie]

I should have said that my intention is NOT to criticize, Sonsie. I just want to offer a helpful suggestion based on my own life experience

Nooo...I didn't take it as criticism at all. Mom died 6 yrs ago, and Dad just went last year. I'm very sentimental and attach a lot of meaning to possessions that they owned. An item may be worth less than a cent on any market, but if it meant something to them, it does to me. That's why it's so cool to have a box full of things from relatives way down the line...I have a picture of my great-great-great-great-great-grandparents! And I have about 100 handmade stencils that my great-great-grandfather made which are 120-160 years old. I love stuff like that. I've contacted the Smithsonian to find out their value, if any. I'd like to sell them to an appreciative artist who would use them. Lacking that, I'll give them to an appreciative artist who will use them, or to the state historical society.

This is how sentimental I am...my mom was a seamstress extraordinaire - she made herself lined suits that could be sold at any creme-de-la-creme shop in NYC. She kept some of the dresses she'd made back in the 70's for special occasions. When Dad told my sister and I to take care of her things when she died, Betsy and I decided we couldn't stand the thought of giving them to Goodwill because no one could ever appreciate them the way they ought to be. So we had a bonfire in the back yard. It also consumed Dad's PhD garments that he wore at every ceremony and his WWII uniform. It seemed the best way to honor them.

Dad did a lot of different types of handiwork like recaning chairs and refinishing furniture he bought at auctions. He redid a decrepit old pedal organ from the mid 1800's. When we cleared out their house, we found a church that wanted it and gave it to them if they'd pick it up. So that lil guy got a good home.

Most of the things I've saved have much more sentimental value than monetary, but we did give away or sell for a pittance many items which I'm just now finding out there's a market for.

You're absolutely right, though - it'll just eat away at me if I linger over those thoughts. About the only time I think about it is when I happen upon something on the net that reminds me. Thank you for your words. They were comforting and brought a tear.

Warmly, sonsie